First American Haircut - Before, During and After

MRI results

Got little man's MRI results today. Looks like his malformation is both venous and lymphatic in nature. The malformation is in one area only, but consists of several cysts. The best news - the cysts are laying just under the skin and right on top the muscles of his face. Sclerotherapy is no longer an option, surgery to remove it is the way to go. There will be one big surgery in the near future, with some follow up revision surgeries to follow to remove excess skin and adjust his nose sagging. The surgeon we saw felt the least scaring option would be to have the incision go along the side of the face near his ear, but there is a good chance the incision would run along side of his nose and into his smile line around his mouth. Matthew will be joining the other "tough customer" males in our family who have visited the plastic surgeon and now have facial scars- Jeff's is from skin cancer and Robbie has his "Harry potter" scar across his forehead from running into a very sharp chair rail & a chin scar from falling on a chair. Matthew will be in good company!

We will be looking into a second opinion, but so far we really love the surgeon we have worked with. It would be great to stay local if we could. Prayers would be appreciated for guidance through this process.

Home 2 months

Matthew has been home over 2 months now.  What a kid!  He had his first pictures taken and was very cooperative!!!   I brought the Shelby and Robbie along for entertainment reinforcements and even threw on some extra deodorant in case I would have to wrestle him into the next outfit or have to stand on my head to get him to smile. Perfect little smiling gentleman decided to show up instead. 

 

It is a lot of fun to see more and more of his personality coming out.  Most days he is a sweet boy.  Then he likes to spice things up around here and keep his momma a hoppin.  As with any two year old, "no" has become a staple of his vocabulary, even if what he really means is yes.  Matthew wants to be held a lot and prefers to be my shadow everywhere I go - bathroom, laundry...  I think so many things are new to him and wants to make sure he doesn't miss a thing.  It's still pretty exciting to put laundry in the dryer and flush toilet paper in the toilet.

  I have seen some days where he tests his boundaries and my trust. He will get mad and push me away. Tantrums erupt... Then when he calms down and he sees his mama is still willing to hold him after all the hard stuff, you would think I couldn't hold him enough.  Occasionally he will still call out in the middle of the night, I will go and pick him up and he will be clutching me trying give me the tightest biggest hug.  I will give him some more hugs and kisses and just lay him back down.   He seems pretty content and relieved that yes mama is still here. 

Matthew is starting to play by himself occasionally.  Who knew how much fun a can of play dough and a plastic knife could be?? He loves to wheel his grocery cart through the house "shopping" - if you have lost something, it's probably in the cart.  Rain boots and puddles are #1, too.  Matthew loves to pray - he frequently stops our meal (sometimes 4-5 times), folds his hands and grunts for the rest of us to follow.  Imaginary food is still pretty yummy to "eat". 

It is such a funny place where I am as a mom - college visits, play dough and deprived sleep.  I would have thought by kid #3 I knew it all - wow am I ever amazed how much I still don't.   Even though he is just two, he certainly comes with a past that didn't have a  momma and daddy meeting all his needs.  So some days are HARD, but adoption is crazy joyful and beautiful, too.   To have the privilege to be called his parents see this awesome little person emerge, makes my heart burst.  The four of us can't seem to get enough of his sweet little hugs and kisses. If one of us has been away, we all rush to find Matthew in the house when we get home.   How amazing for an orphan from a whole other continent to fit right into his new family half way around the world just like he was always supposed to be here. Isn't God cool!     

 

 

 

Happy 10th Anniversary Show Hope!

MRI

I am sitting in the radiology waiting room while Matthew gets his MRI done. Only one parent is allowed back in the radiology suite. Jeff is back with him and I know Matthew is completely fine, but boy is this difficult not being back there. I am usually the one who gets to do most the procedures, appointments and night time wake ups with the kids, hard for me not being there to comfort him.I know this is only the beginning of a lot of medical stuff and this is probably the least of anything Matthew will have to go through, still tough.